Chapter 105. The Xino Covenant (7)
Anya was a little surprised. That Rose would be recognized as a noble was perfectly normal—but herself, a commoner…… could it be that she had beco famous too?
"But of course—Miss Anya's act of courage at the Fourth Imperial Princess's Hocoming Banquet half a month ago, fearlessly challenging power for the sake of Miss Rose's honor, was long since spread far and wide." Ailin replied softly.
If Luo Nan had been here, hearing Ailin say this, he would certainly have been reminded of the brief description of that plot in The Shining Myriad Trails—
"Chosen Hero" Anya Sivans, undaunted by power, rescued Miss Rose who was about to be frad by the Capital's Debauched Scoundrel Luo Nan von dillion—her na spread far and wide, and her talents first made themselves known to the world.
And now, according to what Ailin had said—though the actual situation differed sowhat from The Shining Myriad Trails, it seed…… the intended destination had still been reached?
"Is—is that so? I didn't even know myself……" Upon hearing Ailin's praise, Anya gave her head a modest, slightly embarrassed shake.
The girl was as ever unaccustod to facing others' praise.
"Miss Anya need not be modest—not just anyone possesses that kind of courage, to challenge one of the empire's top-tier nobles as a person of no standing, especially that rather notorious 'Capital's Debauched Scoundrel.'"
Ailin shifted into a more comfortable position, leaning sideways against the sofa. She drew out a paper and pen from the lady's handbag she carried, and said to the two of them:
"I wonder if I might have the pleasure of chatting with both of you ladies for a bit—hmm…… don't worry, I only want this as a source of inspiration and won't spread anything~"
"Of course, Miss Ailin—please ask away!" Anya agreed to Ailin's request without a second thought.
Afterward, Rose also gave a slight nod. "Very well."
With the agreent of both, Ailin's lips curved lightly, and a barely perceptible scarlet luminescence flickered through those exquisite rose-colored eyes.
The three of them began chatting in that corner. People ca and went all around, but not a single soul so much as glanced at these three remarkably beautiful ladies.
As if…… the three of them did not exist.
***
Main hall of the Xino Palace. Beneath the temporarily erected "Covenant Gate."
Luo Nan and Serela stood in place beneath the towering arch—several steps apart, both facing the high altar—exchanging no words directly.
'How is it that Serela has had no reaction whatsoever?'
'From the mont she ca in, she hasn't said a word to ……'
'Could it be that she, too, is quite displeased with the Emperor's arrangent?'
Luo Nan observed the strikingly beautiful Imperial Princess at his side out of the corner of his eye, unable to discern her attitude in the slightest.
'I also don't know why the Emperor would put forward this sudden Marriage Pact……'
The twin moons hung high; the night was deep as ink.
The crystal stars embedded in the do above poured their radiance down upon the pair standing beneath the arch.
An old man robed in ornate, lavish ceremonial Archbishop's vestnts, holding a scepter topped with an inlaid sacred crystal gem, ascended the central sacred altar with slow, asured steps.
Archbishop Kolitio's gaze swept over this pair of young people below, and he gave a slight nod, then began the most important ceremony of tonight's Contract Banquet.
Luo Nan also noticed that—although the Contract Banquet between himself and Serela was grand in scale with a large number of attendees—not a single one of those who truly stood at the very apex of the Empire had co.
Not his father Duke dillion, not Emperor Isarian III, not the Empire's Pri Minister Tevitz Siglo Viscount, not any Cabinet ministers or Do Council mbers—not one.
'Seems like there's more to this Marriage Pact than ets the eye……'
'Enough—with my current strength I can't yet participate in struggles at that level. Best not to think about these things.'
At this thought, Luo Nan redirected his attention back to the Contract Ceremony.
'Under the gaze of the Dawn…… blood united…… sharing honor and burden…… until death……'
Archbishop Kolitio launched into a lengthy, dry formalist address from the altar, droning on until Luo Nan felt drowsy listening to it.
Sure enough—in previous life or this one, formalism remained an inescapable mountain!
How much ti passed, none could say—at last, the Archbishop finished reciting that long "Sacred Covenant Preamble" in his hands, descended from the altar to stand before the two, and began the most important mont of the evening.
The atmosphere among the audience behind them livened noticeably as well, with countless young nobles, officials, and various social figures exchanging words in a continuous murmur.
Clearly, no one had enjoyed that lengthy dry preamble.
"Luo Nan von dillion, blood of the dillion Family—before the eyes of your father, your family's forebears, and the countless gazes of the Empire, do you willingly and in full clarity of mind, with this body, this heart, this blood, solemnly uphold the Sacred Covenant established here between yourself and Her Highness Princess Serela Austrein?"
Archbishop Kolitio addressed the groom's side first.
It was precisely this mont that—one could say—Emperor Isarian had rushed to hold the Contract Ceremony between him and Serela for the sake of: their answers.
'Though I very much want to answer 'unwilling'…… but…… forget it—acknowledge it for now, and consider the matter of breaking off the engagent afterward.'
Luo Nan straightened up and replied aloud:
"I solemnly pledge."
Archbishop Kolitio gave a satisfied nod and turned to Serela:
"Serela Austrein, light of the Empire, descendant of the Dragon-Heart Emperor's bloodline—before your Imperial Father, the Empire's forebears, and the foundation stone of the nation's future, do you willingly and with honor, with this body, this heart, this blood, accept the eternal bond forged at this mont between yourself and Luo Nan von dillion?"
The golden-haired Imperial Princess inclined her head ever so slightly, and said softly:
"I solemnly accept."
As the two voices wove together and echoed beneath the ten thousand stars, Luo Nan seed to…… glimpse the arc that curved ever so briefly at the corner of Serela's mouth.
"Mm?"
He blinked. When he looked again, all he could see was that composed, elegant, impeccably dignified signature smile.
'I recognize it—that's Serela's false smile. But just now……' Luo Nan's brow furrowed slightly.
At that mont, a gasp from below the stage broke Luo Nan's train of thought.
Soone cried out, 'Look—the Immortal Cornflower and the Golden Falcon have changed!'
Sure enough—the Austrein and dillion family crests engraved on the "Covenant Gate" were now flowing with energy, briefly interweaving and coiling above the high altar, forming a dual-linked structure—and emitting a deep resonant hum!
Archbishop Kolitio imdiately called out aloud: "Let this be witnessed by the Dawn and all the gods! This covenant between them has been inscribed upon the Wheel of Fate!"
The Archbishop walked back up to the sacred altar, and drawing upon his Tier Five Legend power, projected his voice to fill every corner of the Xino Palace:
"In the na of the Dawn, of Royal Authority, of our Forebears! This covenant is complete! With the gods on high and all eyes as witness! Luo Nan von dillion and Serela Austrein henceforth forge a Sacred Alliance, sharing glory and sha, bearing fortune and misfortune as one! May the Dawn forever shine upon this union, bringing prosperity and peace to the Empire!"
To thunderous cheers, Luo Nan and Serela descended from the dais under the Archbishop's guidance and stepped onto the red carpet leading to the banquet hall.
Tonight's climactic "Covenant Banquet" had begun!
'I keep feeling…… that palpitation is growing heavier and heavier. I need to find a reason to slip away first!' Luo Nan thought.
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